Ahead of their second Test match in opposition to India, England has suffered a serious blow with skilled spinner Jack Leach lacking the match scheduled to begin from Friday at Visakhapatnam. Leach confronted a knee subject whereas fielding on the opening day of England’s thrilling 28-run victory over India within the opening Test in Hyderabad, however the left-armer nonetheless managed to function within the sport and likewise bowled 10 overs throughout the hosts’ second innings, as per ICC. England hoped that the harm would cool down and Leach would make himself accessible for the second Test, however skipper Ben Stokes revealed the 32-year-old can be pressured to sit down out throughout the essential ICC World Test Championship encounter.

“He is ruled out of the second Test,” Stokes mentioned of Leach as quoted by ICC.

“Unfortunately, the knock he took resulted in a haematoma in his leg. It is a big shame for us, a big shame for Jack, obviously after a long time out of the game with his back.”

“To sustain that injury, first game back, obviously it is frustrating. But it is something we are assessing every day. The medical team have taken over that, and hopefully, it is not something that is too serious and keeps him out for longer in the series.”

England are nonetheless but to finalise the make-up of their XI for the second Test, with younger uncapped off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in rivalry to switch Leach ought to the vacationers look to incorporate one other spinner.

England even have the choice of calling on veteran seamer James Anderson in case situations are appropriate, with Stokes indicating he would wait till Thursday earlier than deciding his remaining XI.

Stokes expressed optimism that Bashir may carry out properly on debut if chosen to associate fellow spinners Rehan Ahmed and Tom Hartley throughout the second Test.

“If he was to play on this tour, then the great thing he has on his side is, what is there to lose?” Stokes mentioned.

“That is how I will be thinking about it, if he gets the chance to play: just to make sure I can give him the best experience I possibly can. Because you only play your first Test match once. If he does play, then I will be trying to make it as enjoyable and fun for him as I can.”

“Myself, Baz (coach Brendon McCullum) and Popey (vice-captain Ollie Pope) will probably have a longer think about it. We looked at the wicket; I gave it a tap, and a play-around to make it look like I knew what I was doing. Bash is in the squad, we have not brought him here to have an experience. If we feel we want to turn to him, we will,” he concluded.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is printed from a syndicated feed.)